Communication Device

ABSTRACT

A communication device may execute a wireless communication of object data with a mobile device via a first target network using a second type of interface after executing a sending process of sending a wireless setting, for causing the mobile device to belong to the first target network, to the mobile device using a first type of interface in a case where the communication device is determined as currently belonging to the first target network. The communication device may execute the wireless communication of the object data with the mobile device via a second target network using the second type of interface after executing a specific process of causing both the communication device and the mobile device to belong to the second target network in a case where the communication device is determined as currently not belonging to the target network.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.15/664,848, filed Jul. 31, 2017, which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 14/789,696, filed Jul. 1, 2015, which is acontinuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/831,983, filed Mar. 15,2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,088,863 B2, issued Jul. 21, 2015, which claimspriority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2012-082815, filed on Mar.30, 2012, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by referenceinto the present application.

TECHNICAL FIELD

A technique disclosed in the present specification relates to acommunication device for executing communication of object data with amobile device.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

A technique for two communication devices to execute wirelesscommunication is known. The two communication devices executecommunication of a wireless setting according to a short-range wirelesscommunication system (i.e., a wireless communication according to NFC(abbreviation of: Near Field Communication)). The wireless setting is asetting for executing wireless communication according to acommunication system different from the NFC system (e.g., IEEE 802.11a,802.11b). Thereby, the two communication devices become capable ofexecuting wireless communication according to the wireless setting.

SUMMARY

The present specification discloses a technique for a communicationdevice to appropriately execute communication with a mobile device.

A technique disclosed herein is a communication device. Thecommunication device may comprise a first type of interface forexecuting a wireless communication with a mobile device and a secondtype of interface for executing a wireless communication with the mobiledevice. The communication device may comprise one or more processors anda memory that stores computer-readable instructions therein. Thecomputer-readable instructions, when executed by the one or moreprocessors, causing the communication device to execute (A) determiningwhether or not the communication device currently belongs to a targetnetwork for executing a wireless communication using the second type ofinterface, (B) executing a wireless communication of object data withthe mobile device via a first target network using the second type ofinterface after executing a sending process of sending a wirelesssetting, for causing the mobile device to belong the first targetnetwork, to the mobile device using the first type of interface in afirst case where the communication device is determined as currentlybelonging to the first target network and (C) executing the wirelesscommunication of the object data with the mobile device via a secondtarget network using the second type of interface after executing aspecific process of causing both the communication device and the mobiledevice to belong to the second target network in a second case where thecommunication device is determined as currently not belonging to thetarget network.

Moreover, a control method, a computer program, and a non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium computer-readable instructions for thecommunication device, are also novel and useful. Further, acommunication system including the communication device and the mobiledevice are also novel and useful.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a communication system.

FIG. 2 shows a flowchart of a communication process executed by amulti-function peripheral of a first embodiment.

FIG. 3 shows a sequence view for explaining processes executed bydevices in a first situation.

FIG. 4 shows a sequence view for explaining processes executed bydevices in a second situation.

FIG. 5 shows a sequence view for explaining processes executed bydevices in a third situation.

FIG. 6 shows a sequence view for explaining processes executed bydevices in a fourth situation.

FIG. 7 shows a sequence view for explaining processes executed bydevices in a fifth situation.

FIG. 8 shows a flowchart of a communication process executed by amulti-function peripheral of a second embodiment.

FIG. 9 shows a sequence view for explaining processes executed bydevices in a sixth situation.

FIG. 10 shows a flowchart of a communication process executed by amulti-function peripheral of a third embodiment.

FIG. 11 shows a sequence view for explaining processes executed bydevices in a seventh situation.

EMBODIMENT First Embodiment (Configuration of Communication System)

As shown in FIG. 1, a communication system 2 comprises a multi-functionperipheral (called “MFP” (abbreviation of: Multi-Function Peripheral)below) 10, a mobile device 50, an access point (called “AP” below) 6,and a PC 8. The MFP 10 and the mobile device 50 are capable of executingshort-range wireless communication. The short-range wirelesscommunication is according to the wireless communication NFC system. Inthe present embodiment, the wireless communication is executed accordingto the NFC system based on international standards ISO/IEC 21481 or18092.

Further, the MFP 10 is capable of executing wireless communicationaccording to the Wi-Fi Direct system (to be described). Below, Wi-FiDirect is called “WFD”. In WFD, wireless communication is executed basedon IEEE (abbreviation of: The Institute of Electrical and ElectronicsEngineers, Inc.) 802.11 standard and standards based on thereon (e.g.,802.11a, 11b, 11g, 11n, etc.). The NFC system and the system of WFD(called “WFD system” below) have different wireless communicationsystems (i.e., wireless communication standards). Further, thecommunication speed of wireless communication according to the WFDsystem is faster than the communication speed of wireless communicationaccording to the NFC system.

For example, the MFP 10 can construct a WFD network by establishing aconnection with the mobile device 50 according to the WFD system (called“WFD connection” below). Similarly, the MFP 10 can construct a WFDnetwork by establishing a WFD connection with the PC 8.

The PC 8, the MFP 10 and the mobile device 50 are further capable ofexecuting wireless communication according to a normal Wi-Fi system(e.g., IEEE 802.11) different from the WFD system. In general terms,wireless communication according to normal Wi-Fi is wirelesscommunication using the AP 6, and wireless communication according tothe WFD system is wireless communication not using the AP 6. Forexample, the MFP 10 can belong to a normal Wi-Fi network by establishinga connection with the AP 6 (called “normal Wi-Fi connection” below)according to normal Wi-Fi. Via the AP 6, the MFP 10 can execute wirelesscommunication with another device belonging to the normal Wi-Fi network(e.g., the PC 8, the mobile device 50). Moreover, the NFC system and thesystem of normal Wi-Fi (called “the normal Wi-Fi system” below) havedifferent wireless communication systems (i.e., wireless communicationstandards). Further, the communication speed of normal Wi-Fi is fasterthan the communication speed of NFC.

(WFD)

WFD is a standard formulated by Wi-Fi Alliance. WFD is described in“Wi-Fi Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Technical Specification Version 1.1”, createdby Wi-Fi Alliance.

As described above, the PC 8, the MFP 10, and the mobile device 50 areeach capable of executing wireless communication according to the WFDsystem. Below, an apparatus capable of executing wireless communicationaccording to the WFD system is called a “WFD-compatible apparatus”.According to the WFD standard, three states are defined as the states ofthe WFD-compatible apparatus: Group Owner state (called “G/O state”below), client state, and device state. The WFD-compatible apparatus iscapable of selectively operating in one state among the three states.

One WFD network includes an apparatus in the G/O state and an apparatusin the client state. Only one G/O state apparatus can be present in theWFD network, but one or more client state apparatuses can be present.The G/O state apparatus manages the one or more client stateapparatuses. Specifically, the G/O state apparatus creates anadministration list in which identification information (i.e., MACaddress) of each of the one or more client state apparatuses is written.When a client state apparatus newly belongs to the WFD network, the G/Ostate apparatus adds the identification information of that apparatus tothe administration list, and when the client state apparatus leaves theWFD network, the G/O state apparatus deletes the identificationinformation of that apparatus from the administration list.

The G/O state apparatus is capable of wirelessly communicating objectdata (e.g., data that includes network layer information of the OSIreference model (print data, scan data, etc.)) with an apparatusregistered in the administration list, i.e., with a client stateapparatus (i.e., an apparatus belonging to the WFD network). However,with an unregistered apparatus which is not registered in theadministration list, the G/O state apparatus is capable of wirelesslycommunicating data for the unregistered apparatus to belong to the WFDnetwork (e.g., data that does not include network layer information(physical layer data such as a Probe Request signal, Probe Responsesignal, etc.)), but is not capable of wirelessly communicating theobject data. For example, the MFP 10 that is in the G/O state is capableof wirelessly receiving print data from the mobile device 50 that isregistered in the administration list (i.e., the mobile device 50 thatis in the client state), but is not capable of wirelessly receivingprint data from an apparatus that is not registered in theadministration list.

Further, the G/O state apparatus is capable of relaying the wirelesscommunication of object data (print data, scan data, etc.) between aplurality of client state apparatuses. For example, in a case where themobile device 50 that is in the client state is to wirelessly send printdata to another printer that is in the client state, the mobile device50 first wirelessly sends the print data to the MFP 10 that is in theG/O state. In this case, the MFP 10 wirelessly receives the print datafrom the mobile device 50, and wirelessly sends the print data to theother printer. That is, the G/O state apparatus is capable of executingthe function of an AP of the normal wireless network.

Moreover, a WFD-compatible apparatus that does not belong to the WFDnetwork (i.e., an apparatus not registered in the administration list)is a device state apparatus. The device state apparatus is capable ofwirelessly communicating data for belonging to the WFD network (physicallayer data such as a Probe Request signal, Probe Response signal, etc.),but is not capable of wirelessly communicating object data (print data,scan data, etc.) via the WFD network.

Moreover, below, an apparatus that is not capable of executing wirelesscommunication according to the WFD system, but is capable of executingwireless communication according to normal Wi-Fi is called a“WFD-incompatible apparatus”. The “WFD-incompatible apparatus” may alsobe called a “legacy apparatus”. A WFD-incompatible apparatus cannotoperate in the G/O state. A G/O state apparatus can registeridentification information of the WFD-incompatible apparatus in theadministration list.

(Configuration of MFP 10)

The MFP 10 comprises an operating unit 12, a displaying unit 14, a printexecuting unit 16, a scan executing unit 18, a wireless LAN interface(an “interface” is called “I/F” below) 20, an NFC I/F 22, and a controlunit 30. The operating unit 12 includes a plurality of keys. A user caninput various instructions to the MFP 10 by operating the operating unit12. The displaying unit 14 is a display for displaying various types ofinformation. The print executing unit 16 is an ink jet system, lasersystem, etc. printing mechanism. The scan executing unit 18 is a CCD,CIS, etc. scanning mechanism.

The wireless LAN I/F 20 is an interface for the control unit 30 toexecute wireless communication according to the WFD system and wirelesscommunication according to normal Wi-Fi. The wireless LAN I/F 20 isphysically one interface. However, a MAC address used in wirelesscommunication according to the WFD system (called “MAC address for WFD”below) and a MAC address used in wireless communication according tonormal Wi-Fi (called “MAC address for normal Wi-Fi” below) are bothassigned to the wireless LAN I/F 20. More specifically, the MAC addressfor the normal Wi-Fi is pre-assigned to the wireless LAN I/F 20. Usingthe MAC address for the normal Wi-Fi, the control unit 30 creates theMAC address for WFD, and assigns the MAC address for WFD to the wirelessLAN I/F 20. The MAC address for WFD differs from the MAC address for thenormal Wi-Fi. Consequently, via the wireless LAN I/F 20, the controlunit 30 can simultaneously execute both wireless communication accordingto the WFD system and wireless communication according to the normalWi-Fi. Consequently, a situation can be established in which the MFP 10belongs to the WFD network and belongs to the normal Wi-Fi network.

Moreover, the G/O state apparatus can write, in the administration list,not only the identification information of the WFD-compatible apparatusthat is in the client state, but also the identification information ofa WFD-incompatible apparatus. That is, the G/O state apparatus can alsoestablish the WFD connection with the WFD-incompatible apparatus. Ingeneral terms, the WFD connection is a wireless connection in which theMAC address for the WFD of the MFP 10 is used. Further, the WFD networkis a wireless network in which the MAC address for the WFD of the MFP 10is used. Similarly, the normal Wi-Fi connection is a wireless connectionin which the MAC address for the normal Wi-Fi of the MFP 10 is used.Further, the normal Wi-Fi network is a wireless network in which the MACaddress for the normal Wi-Fi of the MFP 10 is used.

By operating the operating unit 12, the user can change a setting of thewireless LAN I/F 20, thereby being able to change to either mode of amode in which wireless communication according to the WFD system usingthe wireless LAN I/F 20 can be executed (called “WFD=ON mode” below),and a mode in which wireless communication according to the WFD systemusing the wireless LAN I/F 20 cannot be executed (called “WFD=OFF mode”below). A mode setting unit 46 sets the mode to either WFD=ON mode orWFD=OFF mode in accordance with the operation of the user. Specifically,the mode setting unit 46 stores, in the memory 34, a mode valuerepresenting the mode set by the user.

Moreover, in the WFD I/F=OFF mode state, the control unit 30 cannotexecute processes according to the WFD system (e.g., a process ofsetting the MFP 10 to spontaneous G/O mode (to be described), G/Onegotiation, etc.). In the WFD I/F=ON state, the memory 34 stores valuesrepresenting the current state of the MFP 10 relating to WFD (the statefrom among G/O state, client state, and device state).

The NFC I/F 22 is an interface for the control unit 30 to executewireless communication according to the NFC system. The NFC I/F 22 isformed of a chip differing physically from the wireless LAN I/F 20.

Moreover, the communication speed of wireless communication via thewireless LAN I/F 20 (e.g., maximum communication speed is 11 to 454Mbps) is faster than the communication speed of wireless communicationvia the NFC I/F 22 (e.g., maximum communication speed is 100 to 424Kbps). Further, the frequency of the carrier wave in wirelesscommunication via the wireless LAN I/F 20 (e.g., 2.4 GHz band, 5.0 GHzband) differs from the frequency of the carrier wave in the wirelesscommunication via the NFC I/F 22 (e.g., 13.56 MHz band). Further, in thecase where the distance between the MFP 10 and the mobile device 50 isless than or equal to approximately 10 cm, the control unit 30 canwirelessly communicate with the mobile device 50 according to the NFCsystem via the NFC I/F 22. In the case where the distance between theMFP 10 and the mobile device 50 is either less than or equal to 10 cm,or is greater than or equal to 10 cm (e.g., a maximum is approximately100 m), the control unit 30 can wirelessly communicate, via the wirelessLAN I/F 20, with the mobile device 50 according to the WFD system andaccording to the normal Wi-Fi. That is, the maximum distance acrosswhich the MFP 10 can execute wireless communication with a communicationdestination apparatus (e.g., the mobile device 50) via the wireless LANI/F 20 is greater than the maximum distance across which the MFP 10 canexecute the wireless communication with the communication destinationapparatus via the NFC I/F 22.

The control unit 30 comprises a CPU 32 and the memory 34. The CPU 32executes various processes according to programs stored in the memory34. The CPU 32 realizes the functions of the units 40 to 46 by executingprocesses according to the programs.

The memory 34 is formed of a ROM, RAM, hard disk, etc. The memory 34stores the programs executed by the CPU 32. The memory 34 comprises awork area 38. In the case where the MFP 10 currently belongs to a WFDnetwork, the work area 38 stores information indicating that the MFP 10currently belongs to the WFD network, and a wireless setting (includingauthentication method, encryption method, password, SSID (Service SetIdentifier) and BSSID (Basic Service Set Identifier) of the wirelessnetwork) for communicating object data (e.g., print data) via the WFDnetwork. Further, in the case where the MFP 10 currently belongs to anormal Wi-Fi network, the work area 38 stores information indicatingthat the MFP 10 currently belongs to the normal Wi-Fi network, and awireless setting for communicating object data via the normal Wi-Finetwork. The SSID of the WFD network is a network identifier foridentifying the WFD network, and the SSID of the normal Wi-Fi network isa network identifier for identifying the normal Wi-Fi network. The BSSIDof the WFD network is an identifier unique to the G/O state apparatus(e.g., the MAC address of the G/O state apparatus), and the BSSID of thenormal Wi-Fi network is an identifier unique to the AP (e.g., a uniqueidentifier of the AP).

In the case where the MFP 10 is operating according to the WFD system,the work area 38 further stores a value indicating the current state ofWFD (one state from among G/O state, client state, or device state). Thework area 38 further stores a mode value representing the WFD=ON mode,or a mode value representing the WFD=OFF mode.

Moreover, by operating the operating unit 12, the user can set the MFP10 to spontaneous G/O mode. Spontaneous G/O mode is a mode formaintaining the operation of the MFP 10 in the G/O state. The work area38 within the memory 34 further stores a value indicating whether theMFP 10 has been set to spontaneous G/O mode. When the WFD-compatibleapparatus that is in the device state is to establish a WFD connectionwith another WFD-compatible apparatus that is in the device state, theWFD-compatible apparatus usually executes G/O negotiation to selectivelydetermine which state, of G/O state and client state, it is to operatein. In the case where the MFP 10 has been set to the spontaneous G/Omode, the MFP 10 maintains operation in the G/O state without executingG/O negotiation.

(Configuration of Mobile Device 50)

The mobile device 50 is, for example, a mobile phone (e.g., a SmartPhone), PDA, notebook PC, tablet PC, portable music player, portablevideo player, etc. The mobile device 50 comprises two wirelessinterfaces, a wireless LAN I/F (i.e., an interface for WFD and normalWi-Fi) and an NFC I/F. Consequently, the mobile device 50 is capable ofexecuting wireless communication with the MFP 10 using the wireless LANI/F, and is capable of executing wireless communication with the MFP 10using the NFC I/F. The mobile device 50 comprises an application programfor causing the MFP 10 to execute functions (e.g., print function, scanfunction, etc.). Moreover, the application program may, for example, beinstalled on the mobile device 50 from a server provided by a vendor ofthe MFP 10, or may be installed on the mobile device 50 from a mediashipped together with the MFP 10.

Like the MFP 10, the mobile device 50 comprises a work area 58 within amemory 54. In the case where the mobile device 50 currently belongs tothe WFD network or the normal Wi-Fi network, the work area 58 stores awireless setting (including authentication method, encryption method,password, SSID and BSSID of the wireless network) for executingcommunication via the relevant network. Further, in the case where themobile device 50 is operating according to the WFD system, the work area58 stores a state value representing the state of the mobile device 50(i.e., one state from among G/O state, client state and device state).

(Configuration of PC 8)

The PC 8 comprises a wireless LAN I/F (i.e., an interface for WFD andnormal Wi-Fi), but does not comprise an NFC I/F. Consequently, the PC 8is capable of executing communication with the MFP 10 by using thewireless LAN I/F, but is not capable of executing wireless communicationaccording to the NFC system. The PC 8 comprises a driver program forcausing the MFP 10 to execute a process (e.g., print process, scanprocess, etc.). Moreover, the driver program is usually installed on thePC 8 from a media shipped together with the MFP 10. However, in amodification, the driver program may be installed on the PC 8 from aserver provided by the vendor of the MFP 10.

(Configuration of AP 6)

The AP 6 is not a WFD G/O state apparatus, but is a standard accesspoint called a wireless access point or wireless LAN router. The AP 6can establish a normal Wi-Fi connection with a plurality of apparatuses.Thereby, a normal Wi-Fi network including the AP 6 and the plurality ofapparatuses is constructed. The AP 6 receives data from one apparatusfrom among the plurality of apparatuses belonging to the normal Wi-Finetwork, and sends the data to another one apparatus from among theplurality of apparatuses. That is, the AP 6 relays communication betweena pair of apparatuses belonging to the normal Wi-Fi network.

Moreover, differences between the WFD G/O state apparatus and the normalAP are as follows. In the case where the WFD G/O state apparatusdisconnects from the WFD network to which it currently belongs, andnewly belongs to another WFD network, the WFD G/O state apparatus canoperate in a state other than the G/O state (i.e., the client state). Bycontrast, a normal AP (i.e., the AP 6) executes the function of relayingcommunication between the pair of apparatuses regardless of which normalWi-Fi network the normal AP belongs to, and the normal AP cannot operatein the client state.

(Communication Process Executed by MFP 10)

A communication process executed by the MFP 10 will be described withreference to FIG. 2. When a power source of the MFP 10 is turned ON, thecontrol unit 30 executes a communication process. In S2, a receivingunit 40 monitors whether NFC information has been received by executingwireless communication according to the NFC system. Moreover, thereceiving unit 40 receives the NFC information via the NFC I/F 22.Specifically, the receiving unit 40 monitors whether an NFCcommunication session has been established between the MFP 10 and themobile device 50. While the power source of the MFP 10 is ON, thereceiving unit 40 causes the NFC I/F 22 to transmit radio waves fordetecting a device capable of executing wireless communication accordingto the NFC system.

The user of the mobile device 50 activates the application program. Byoperating the mobile device 50, the user causes the mobile device 50 tocreate NFC information that includes a process execution instruction(e.g., print instruction, scan instruction) indicating a process thatthe MFP 10 is to execute. In the case where the mobile device 50currently belongs to a wireless network, the NFC information furtherincludes the SSID and BSSID of the wireless network to which the mobiledevice 50 currently belongs. Moreover, the case where the mobile device50 currently belongs to the wireless network is a case in which awireless connection, this being the WFD connection or the normal Wi-Ficonnection, or both, has been established between the mobile device 50and another device (e.g., the AP 6, the MFP 10).

The user can bring the mobile device 50 closer to the MFP 10. Thereby,when the distance between the mobile device 50 and the MFP 10 becomesless than the distance (e.g., 10 cm) where the radio waves reach eachother, the mobile device 50 receives a radio wave from the MFP 10, andsends a response wave to the MFP 10. Consequently, the control unit 30receives the response wave from the mobile device 50, and an NFCcommunication session is established. When the NFC communication sessionhas been established, the mobile device 50 sends the created NFCinformation to the MFP 10.

Upon receiving the NFC information (YES in S2), in S4 a determining unit42 determines whether the MFP 10 currently belongs to a network.Specifically, in the case where the work area 38 stores informationindicating that the MFP 10 currently belongs to the WFD network orinformation indicating that the MFP 10 currently belongs to the normalWi-Fi network, or both, the determining unit 42 determines that the MFP10 currently belongs to a wireless network (YES in S4), and the processproceeds to S6. On the other hand, in the case where neither theinformation indicating that the MFP 10 currently belongs to the WFDnetwork or the information indicating that the MFP 10 currently belongsto the normal Wi-Fi network is stored in the work area 38, thedetermining unit 42 determines that the MFP 10 does not currently belongto a wireless network (NO in S4), and the process proceeds to S8.

In S6, the determining unit 42 confirms whether the mobile device 50currently belongs to the network to which the MFP 10 currently belongs.Specifically, the determining unit 42 first determines whether the SSIDand BSSID of the network to which the mobile device 50 currently belongsare included in the NFC information. In the case where the SSID andBSSID are not included in the NFC information, the determining unit 42determines that the mobile device 50 does not currently belong to thenetwork to which the MFP 10 currently belongs (NO in S6). According tothis configuration, the MFP 10 can appropriately determine that themobile device 50 does not currently belong to the network to which theMFP 10 currently belongs. In the case where the SSID and BSSID of thenetwork to which the mobile device 50 currently belongs are included inthe NFC information, the determining unit 42 determines whether the SSIDand BSSID included in the wireless setting stored in the work area 38are identical to the SSID and BSSID included in the NFC information.

In the case where the SSIDs and BSSIDs are both identical, it isdetermined that the mobile device 50 currently belongs to the network towhich the MFP 10 currently belongs (YES in S6), and the process proceedsto S7. On the other hand, in the case where the SSIDs or the BSSIDs, orboth are not identical, it is determined that the mobile device 50 doesnot currently belong to the network to which the MFP 10 currentlybelongs (NO in S6), and the process proceeds to S8. According to thisconfiguration, the MFP 10 can appropriately determine whether the mobiledevice 50 currently belongs to the network to which the MFP 10 currentlybelongs. Moreover, in S6 the determining unit 42 determines whether theSSIDs are identical, and whether the BSSIDs are identical. Thereby, thedetermining unit 42 can determine whether the MFP 10 and the mobiledevice 50 belong to the same wireless network constructed by the sameAP. More specifically, one AP may construct a plurality of wirelessnetworks by using a plurality of SSIDs. Consequently, in the case wherethe BSSIDs are identical and the SSIDs are not identical, the MFP 10 andthe mobile device 50 could belong to different wireless networksconstructed by the same AP. In the present embodiment, it is possible todetermine more reliably whether the MFP 10 and the mobile device 50belong to the same wireless network by determining whether both theSSIDs and BSSIDs are identical. Moreover, in a modification, it isdetermined in S6 whether the SSIDs are identical, but it need not bedetermined whether the BSSIDs are identical. Thereby, if the SSIDs areidentical, it can be determined that the MFP 10 and the mobile device 50belong to the same wireless network even in the case where the MFP 10and the mobile device 50 each belong to a wireless network constructedby a different access point.

In the case where the mobile device 50 currently belongs to the networkto which the MFP 10 currently belongs, the MFP 10 and the mobile device50 can execute communication via the network to which they currentlybelong. That is, the mobile device 50 can execute wireless communicationwith the MFP 10 by using the wireless setting currently stored in thework area 58. In S7 the control unit 30 sends, without changing thewireless setting of the mobile device 50, information indicating settingchange is unnecessary via the NFC I/F 22, this information indicatingsetting change is unnecessary indicating that the communication of datacan be executed, and the process proceeds to S20. Moreover, theinformation indicating setting change is unnecessary includes the IPaddress of the MFP 10.

In S8 the determining unit 42 determines whether WFD=ON mode has beenset. In the case where the mode value stored in the memory 34 is a valuerepresenting WFD=ON mode, the determining unit 42 determines YES in S8,and proceeds to S10. On the other hand, in the case where the mode valuestored in the memory 34 is a value representing WFD=OFF mode, thedetermining unit 42 determines NO in S8, and the process proceeds to S9.

In S9 a communication executing unit 44 changes the mode from WFD=OFFmode to WFD=ON mode by changing the mode value stored in the memory 34,and the process proceeds to S15. The communication executing unit 44further stores, in the memory 34, setting change information indicatingthat the mode value has been changed.

In S10 the determining unit 42 determines whether the MFP 10 isoperating in the client state in the wireless network to which itcurrently belongs. Specifically, in the case where the state valuestored in the work area 38 is a value representing the client state, thedetermining unit 42 determines that the MFP 10 is operating in theclient state (YES in S10). On the other hand, in the case where thestate value stored in the work area 38 is not a value representing theclient state, the determining unit 42 determines that the MFP 10 is notoperating in the client state (NO in S10). In the case of YES in S10,the process proceeds to S14.

On the other hand, in the case of NO in S10, in S12 the determining unit42 determines whether the MFP 10 is operating in the G/O state in thewireless network to which it currently belongs. Specifically, in thecase where the state value stored in the work area 38 is a valuerepresenting the G/O state, the determining unit 42 determines that theMFP 10 is operating in the G/O state (YES in S12). On the other hand, inthe case where the state value stored in the work area 38 is not a valuerepresenting the G/O state, the determining unit 42 determines that theMFP 10 is not operating in the G/O state (i.e., the MFP 10 is in thedevice state) (NO in S12). In the case of YES in S12, the processproceeds to S13, and in the case of NO in S12, the process proceeds toS15.

In S13 the determining unit 42 determines whether or not the number ofapparatuses other than the MFP 10 included in the WFD network in whichthe MFP 10 is operating in the G/O state (i.e., apparatuses which haveestablished a connection with the MFP 10) is less than a predeterminedmaximum client number. The determining unit 42 determines YES in S13 inthe case where the number of identification information of apparatusesstored in the administration list is less than the maximum clientnumber, and determines NO in S13 in the case where the number is thesame. In the case of YES in S13, the process proceeds to S16, and in thecase of NO in S13, the process proceeds to S14.

In S14 the communication executing unit 44 sends communication NGinformation to the mobile device 50 by using the NFC I/F 22, the processreturns to S2. This communication NG information indicates that the MFP10 and the mobile device 50 currently cannot execute communication.

In S15 the communication executing unit 44 sets the MFP 10 tospontaneous G/O mode. The spontaneous G/O mode is a mode that keeps theMFP 10 operating in the G/O state. Consequently, the MFP 10 is set tothe G/O state although a WFD network has not been constructed at thestage of S15. In the case where the MFP 10 is set to the G/O state, thecommunication executing unit 44 prepares a wireless setting (SSID,BSSID, authentication method, encryption method, password, etc.) for theWFD-compatible apparatus and/or the WFD-incompatible apparatus toexecute wireless communication, via the WFD network, with the MFP 10that is operating in the G/O state. According to this configuration, theMFP 10 can execute wireless communication with the apparatus thatreceives the wireless setting from the MFP 10 regardless of whether theapparatus that receives the wireless setting (the mobile device 50 inthe present embodiment) is a WFD-compatible apparatus or aWFD-incompatible apparatus. In general terms, in the case where the MFP10 currently belongs to a network according to a first wirelesscommunication system (or wireless communication standard, or wirelesscommunication protocol), the communication executing unit 44 sends awireless setting, this being a wireless setting for belonging to thatnetwork, to the communication executing unit 44 for the mobile device 50to operate according to a second wireless communication system (orwireless communication standard, or wireless communication protocol)which is different from the first wireless communication system (orwireless communication standard, or wireless communication protocol).

Moreover, the authentication method and encryption method arepredetermined. Further, the communication executing unit 44 creates apassword. Moreover, the SSID may be created by the communicationexecuting unit 44 at the time the password is created, or may bepredetermined. The BSSID is the MAC address of the MFP 10. Moreover, atthis stage, identification information of the apparatus connected withthe G/O state apparatus is not described in the administration listmanaged by the MFP 10.

In S16, the communication executing unit 44 sends the prepared wirelesssetting to the mobile device 50 using the NFC I/F 22. In the case whereprocess S16 is executed after process S15, the communication executingunit 44 sends, to the mobile device 50, the wireless setting which wasprepared at the stage of setting the spontaneous G/O mode (S15). In thecase where process S16 is executed after process S13, the communicationexecuting unit 44 uses the NFC I/F 22 to send, to the mobile device 50,the wireless setting which was prepared at the stage of constructing theWFD network in which the MFP 10 is operating in the G/O state.

Next, in S18 the communication executing unit 44 establishes a WFDconnection between the MFP 10 and the mobile device 50 by using thewireless LAN I/F 20. Upon receiving, from the MFP 10, the wirelesssetting of the MFP 10 that is operating in the G/O state, the mobiledevice 50 stores the received wireless setting in the work area 58.Consequently, the mobile device 50 executes wireless communicationaccording to normal Wi-Fi. Next, the communication executing unit 44executes the wireless communication of an Authentication Request,Authentication Response, Association Request, Association Response, and4way handshake with the mobile device 50. Various authenticationprocesses such as authentication of SSID, authentication ofauthentication method and encryption method, authentication of password,etc. are executed during the course of the wireless communication. In acase where all the authentications succeed, a wireless connection isestablished between the MFP 10 and the mobile device 50.

Moreover, if both the MFP 10 and the mobile device 50 were in the devicestate, when the WFD connection was to be established between the MFP 10and the mobile device 50, the G/O negotiation would be executed todetermine one of the MFP 10 and the mobile device 50 as the G/O and todetermine the other of the MFP 10 and the mobile device 50 as theclient. However, since it is ascertained that the MFP 10 is in the G/Ostate at the stage of executing S16, the communication executing unit 44establishes a WFD connection with the mobile device 50 without executingG/O negotiation.

Moreover, in the process S18, the communication executing unit 44acquires the MAC address of the mobile device 50 by using the wirelessLAN I/F 20. When the wireless connection has been established, thecontrol unit 30 further adds the MAC address of the mobile device 50 tothe administration list. Moreover, the MAC address of the mobile device50 is included in the NFC information. Thereby, the MFP 10 that is inthe G/O state becomes able to communicate object data (print data, scandata, etc.) with the mobile device 50 according to the normal Wi-Fi.Moreover, the object data includes network layer data, which is a layerhigher than the physical layer of the OSI reference model. Consequently,the MFP 10 that is in the G/O state can execute wireless communicationof the network layer with the mobile device 50 that is in the clientstate.

Next, in S20 the communication executing unit 44 executes a datacommunication process with the mobile device 50 via the wireless LAN I/F20. The contents of the data communication process vary depending on thecontents of the process execution instruction included in the NFCinformation. In the case where the process execution instruction is aprint instruction, the communication executing unit 44 receives printdata from the mobile device 50 in the data communication process. Inthis case, the control unit 30 causes the print executing unit 16 toexecute a print process using the received print data.

On the other hand, in the case where the process execution instructionis a scan instruction, the control unit 30 causes the scan executingunit 18 to scan a document that has been set on the scan executing unit18, creating scan data. Next, the communication executing unit 44 sendsthe created scan data to the mobile device 50.

Next, in S21 the communication executing unit 44 monitors, by using thewireless LAN I/F 20, whether a disconnection request for disconnectingthe connection with the mobile device 50 has been received from themobile device 50. In the case where a disconnection request has not beenreceived even though a predetermined time has elapsed (NO in S21), theprocess returns to S2. On the other hand, in the case where adisconnection request has been received from the mobile device 50 withina predetermined time since the ending of the data communication processof S20 (YES in S21), the communication executing unit 44 disconnects thewireless connection with the mobile device 50. Specifically, thecommunication executing unit 44 deletes the MAC address of the mobiledevice 50 within the administration list. Next, in S22 the communicationexecuting unit 44 determines whether the setting of the wireless LAN I/F20 was changed by the process S9. Specifically, in the case wheresetting change information is being stored in the memory 34, thecommunication executing unit 44 determines that the mode value waschanged in S9 from the mode value indicating WFD=OFF mode to the modevalue indicating WFD=ON mode (YES in S22), and proceeds to S23. On theother hand, in the case where setting change information is not beingstored in the memory 34, the communication executing unit 44 determinesthat the mode value was not changed in S9 from the mode value indicatingWFD=OFF mode to the mode value indicating WFD=ON mode (NO in S22), andthe process returns to S2.

In S23, the communication executing unit 44 determines whether anexternal device (e.g., the PC 8) other than the mobile device 50currently belongs to the WFD network newly constructed in S18.Specifically, in the case where identification information other thanthe identification information of the mobile device 50 is included inthe administration list, the communication executing unit 44 determinesthat the external device currently belongs to the WFD network (YES inS23). In this case, without changing the mode value, the process returnsto S2. According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent theMFP 10 from being disconnected from the WFD network in the case wherethe external device currently belongs to the WFD network.

On the other hand, in the case where identification information otherthan the mobile device 50 is not included in the administration list,the communication executing unit 44 determines that the external devicedoes not currently belong to the WFD network (NO in S23), and proceedsto S24. In S24 the communication executing unit 44 changes the modevalue from the mode value indicating WFD=ON mode to the mode valueindicating the WFD=OFF mode, and the process returns to S2. That is, inthe communication process, in the case where it is determined in S8 thatthe mode value is the WFD=OFF mode, the mode value is changed from theWFD=OFF mode to the WFD=ON mode so that wireless communication with themobile device 50 is executed temporarily via the WFD network by usingthe wireless LAN I/F 20. When the mode value is changed from the WFD=ONmode to the WFD=OFF mode in S25, the WFD network constructed in S18ceases to exist. According to this configuration, in the case where themode value was changed from the mode value indicating WFD=OFF mode tothe mode value indicating the WFD=ON mode during the communicationprocess, it is possible to return to the setting from before the modevalue was changed.

(Advantages of Present Embodiment)

Advantages of the present embodiment in first to fifth situations willbe described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 7. Moreover, processescorresponding to the communication process of FIG. 2 are shown in eachof FIGS. 3 to 7.

(First Situation)

In the first situation shown in FIG. 3, the MFP 10 and the mobile device50 are in a situation of currently belonging to the same WFD network orthe same normal Wi-Fi network. In this situation, upon receiving NFCinformation from the mobile device 50 by using the NFC I/F 22, in S4 theMFP 10 determines that the MFP 10 currently belongs to a network (YES inS4). Next, in S6 the MFP 10 determines that the mobile device 50currently belongs to the network to which the MFP 10 currently belongs(YES in S6). In S7 the MFP 10 sends information indicating settingchange is unnecessary to the mobile device 50 by using the NFC I/F 22.Upon receiving the information indicating setting change is unnecessary,the mobile device 50 sends print data to the MFP 10 by using the IPaddress included in the information indicating setting change isunnecessary, and the wireless setting that is being stored in the workarea 58. The MFP 10 receives the print data by using the wireless LANI/F 20 (S20). Upon receiving the print data, the MFP 10 causes the printexecuting unit 16 to execute the print process.

Moreover, in the sequence view of the present specification, thewireless communication executed by the MFP 10 by using the NFC I/F 22(i.e., wireless communication according to the NFC system), and thewireless communication executed by the MFP 10 by using the wireless LANI/F 20 (i.e., wireless communication according to the WFD system ornormal Wi-Fi) is represented by arrows. The arrows representing thewireless communication using the wireless LAN I/F 20 are fatter than thearrows representing the wireless communication using the NFC I/F 22.

According to this configuration, in the case where the MFP 10 determinesthat the mobile device 50 currently belongs to the network to which theMFP 10 currently belongs, the MFP 10 can appropriately execute thecommunication of print data via the network to which the MFP 10 and themobile device 50 currently belong without changing the wireless settingto which the MFP 10 and the mobile device 50 are currently set.

(Second Situation)

In the second situation shown in FIG. 4, the MFP 10 currently belongs tothe WFD network. The MFP 10 is operating in the G/O state in the WFDnetwork. The PC 8 that is in the client state currently belongs to theWFD network. The mobile device 50 does not currently belong to thewireless network to which the MFP 10 currently belongs. The mobiledevice 50 may currently belong, or may not belong, to a wireless networkother than the wireless network to which the MFP 10 currently belongs.

In this situation, upon receiving the NFC information from the mobiledevice 50 by using the NFC I/F 22, in S4 the MFP 10 determines that theMFP 10 currently belongs to a network (YES in S4). Moreover, in the casewhere the mobile device 50 currently belongs to a wireless network, theNFC information includes the SSID and BSSID of the wireless network and,in the case where the mobile device 50 does not currently belong to awireless network, the NFC information does not include the SSID andBSSID of the wireless network. Next, the MFP 10 determines in S6 thatthe mobile device 50 does not currently belong to the WFD network towhich the MFP 10 currently belongs (NO in S6). In S12, the MFP 10determines that the MFP 10 is in the G/O state (YES in S12). In thiscase, in S16, the MFP 10 sends the wireless setting of the MFP 10 storedin the work area 38 and the IP address of the MFP 10 to the mobiledevice 50 by using the NFC I/F 22. Upon receiving the wireless setting,the mobile device 50 stores the received wireless setting in the workarea 58. Next, the MFP 10 and the mobile device 50 establish a WFDconnection (S18). Thereby, the mobile device 50 can belong to the WFDnetwork to which the MFP 10 currently belongs. Moreover, by using theNFC I/F 22, the MFP 10 sends a wireless setting including theauthentication method and the encryption method of the MFP 10 to themobile device 50. According to this configuration, the mobile device 50can execute an authentication process according to the authenticationmethod and encryption method received from the MFP 10, and need notexecute any process to verify whether an authentication method andencryption method is to be used. Consequently, the MFP 10 and the mobiledevice 50 can establish a connection comparatively promptly.

Next, the mobile device 50 sends print data to the MFP 10 by using thewireless setting stored in the work area 58 and the IP address receivedin S16. The MFP 10 receives the print data by using the wireless LAN I/F20 (S20). Upon receiving the print data, the MFP 10 causes the printexecuting unit 16 to execute a print process. According to thisconfiguration, in the case where the MFP 10 is operating in the G/Ostate in the WFD network, the MFP 10 can appropriately execute thecommunication of print data with the mobile device 50 via the WFDnetwork to which the MFP 10 currently belongs.

(Third Situation)

In the third situation shown in FIG. 5, the MFP 10 currently belongs toa WFD network. The MFP 10 is operating in the client state in the WFDnetwork. The PC 8 that is in the G/O state currently belongs to the WFDnetwork, whereas the mobile device 50 does not currently belong. Themobile device 50 is in the same state as in the second situation.

In this situation, upon receiving NFC information from the mobile device50 by using the NFC I/F 22, in S4 the MFP 10 determines that the MFP 10currently belongs to a network (YES in S4). Next, the MFP 10 determinesin S6 that the mobile device 50 does not currently belong to the WFDnetwork to which the MFP 10 currently belongs (NO in S6). In S10 the MFP10 determines that the MFP 10 is in the client state (YES in S10). Inthis case, in S14 the MFP 10 sends the communication NG information tothe mobile device 50 by using the NFC I/F 22.

In this case, the MFP 10 does not send the wireless setting stored inthe work area 38 to the mobile device 50. According to thisconfiguration, the wireless setting of the PC 8 that is operating in theG/O state in the WFD network does not need to be provided to the mobiledevice 50. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the mobile device 50 fromentering the WFD network. Further, by receiving the communication NGinformation from the MFP 10, the mobile device 50 can notify the user ofthe mobile device 50 that the MFP 10 is not executing the communicationof object data with the mobile device 50.

(Fourth Situation)

In a fourth situation shown in FIG. 6, the setting of the wireless LANI/F 20 in the MFP 10 is set to the WFD=ON mode, but the MFP 10 does notcurrently belong to a WFD network. That is, the MFP 10 is operating inthe device state. Moreover, the state of the MFP 10 is either a state ofcurrently belonging or not currently belonging to a normal Wi-Finetwork. The mobile device 50 is in the same state as in the secondsituation.

In this situation, upon receiving NFC information from the mobile device50 by using the NFC I/F 22, the MFP 10 determines in S4 that the MFP 10does not currently belong to a network (NO in S4). Further, in S10 andS12, the MFP 10 determines that the MFP 10 is not in either the G/Ostate or the client state (NO in both S10, S12). In this case, in S15the MFP 10 sets the MFP 10 to spontaneous G/O mode without executing theG/O negotiation.

Next, in S16, the MFP 10 sends the wireless setting of the MFP 10 storedin the work area 38 (i.e., the wireless setting prepared at the stage ofsetting spontaneous G/O mode in S15) and the IP address of the MFP 10 tothe mobile device 50 by using the NFC I/F 22. Upon receiving thewireless setting, the mobile device 50 stores the received wirelesssetting in the work area 58. Next, the MFP 10 and the mobile device 50establish a WFD connection (S18). Thereby, the mobile device 50 canbelong to the WFD network in which the MFP 10 is operating in the G/Ostate.

Next, the mobile device 50 sends print data to the MFP 10 by using thewireless setting stored in the work area 58 and the IP address receivedin S16. The MFP 10 receives the print data by using the wireless LAN I/F20 (S20). Upon receiving the print data, the MFP 10 causes the printexecuting unit 16 to execute the print process. According to thisconfiguration, the MFP 10 can newly construct a WFD network in which theMFP 10 is operating in the G/O state in the WFD network. Thereby, theMFP 10 can appropriately execute the communication of print data withthe mobile device 50 via the newly constructed WFD network. Further,since the MFP 10 is necessarily operating in the G/O state in the newlyconstructed WFD network, the MFP 10 can determine an authenticationmethod, etc. to be used in the WFD network.

(Fifth Situation)

In the fifth situation shown in FIG. 7, the setting of the wireless LANI/F 20 is set to the WFD=OFF mode in the MFP 10. The MFP 10 is in thestate of not currently belonging to a network. The mobile device 50 isin the same state as in the second situation.

In this situation, upon receiving the NFC information from the mobiledevice 50 by using the NFC I/F 22, NO is determined in S4 in the samemanner as in the fourth situation. The MFP 10 determines in S8 that theMFP 10 is set to the WFD=OFF mode. In this case, in S9 the MFP 10changes the mode from the WFD=OFF mode to the WFD=ON mode. Next, in S15the MFP 10 sets the MFP 10 to the spontaneous G/O mode.

Below, the processes until the print process are the same as in thefourth situation. In this configuration, also, the same advantages as inthe fourth situation can be achieved. When the print process ends, theMFP 10 determines that an external device does not currently belong tothe newly constructed WFD network (NO in S23), and changes the mode fromthe WFD=ON mode to the WFD=OFF mode. According to this configuration, inthe case where the external device does not belong to the WFD networkafter the communication of print data, the mode can appropriately bechanged from the WFD=ON mode to the WFD=OFF mode.

In the present embodiment, the MFP 10 can, by using the wireless LAN I/F20, appropriately execute the wireless communication of object data withthe mobile device 50 at a comparatively fast communication speed byexecuting processes in accordance with whether the MFP 10 currentlybelongs to the same network as the mobile device 50, i.e., in accordancewith whether the MFP 10 is capable of communicating with the mobiledevice 50. Further, the MFP 10 can execute the communication of objectdata with the mobile device 50 via the WFD network without the MFP 10and the mobile device 50 communicating via different access points.

Further, in the case where the MFP 10 is not capable of communicatingwith the mobile device 50 and the MFP 10 currently belongs to the WFDnetwork, the MFP 10 can appropriately execute the communication of theobject data with the mobile device 50 via the WFD network to which theMFP 10 currently belongs. Further, in the case where the MFP 10 does notcurrently belong to the WFD network, the MFP 10 can appropriatelyexecute the communication of the object data with the mobile device 50via the newly constructed WFD network.

(Corresponding Relationships)

The MFP 10 is an example of the “communication device”, the NFC I/F 22is an example of the “first type of interface”, and the wireless LAN I/F20 is an example of the “second type of interface”. Moreover, from theabove description, since the NFC I/F 22 (i.e., the “first type ofinterface”) executes communication using the wireless LAN I/F 20 (i.e.,the “second type of interface”), the NFC I/F 22 can be called aninterface used for communication executed between the MFP 10 (i.e., the“communication device”) and the mobile device 50.

The AP 6 is an example of the “access point”. That is, the “accesspoint” is a device that, within a network to which the access pointbelongs, i.e., a normal Wi-Fi network, relays communication between apair of apparatuses belonging to the normal Wi-Fi network.

The NFC information is an example of the “specific information”. The G/Ostate is an example of the “parent station state”, and the client stateis an example of the “child station state”. In the case where YES isdetermined in S4, the WFD network to which the MFP 10 belongs is anexample of the “first wireless network”, and the WFD network constructedby the processes S15 to S18 is an example of the “second wirelessnetwork”.

The case of YES in S4 of FIG. 2 is an example of the “first case”, andthe case of NO in S4 of FIG. 2 is an example of the “second case”.

Second Embodiment

Points differing from the first embodiment will be described. In thepresent embodiment, in the case where the mobile device 50 currentlybelongs to a network, the mobile device 50 sends, to the MFP 10, NFCinformation further including the password, authentication method andencryption method as the wireless setting stored in the work area 58.

Further, in the present embodiment, a communication process of FIG. 8 isexecuted instead of the communication process of FIG. 2. S2 to S24 ofFIG. 8 are the same as the processes S2 to S24 of FIG. 2. In the case ofNO in S4 (i.e., in the case where the MFP 10 does not currently belongto a network), in S82 the determining unit 42 determines whether thewireless setting is included in the NFC information received from themobile device 50 by using the NFC I/F 22. In the case where it isdetermined that the wireless setting is included (YES in S82), in S83the information indicating setting change is unnecessary is sent to themobile device 50 by using the NFC I/F 22. Moreover, In the case of NO inS4 (i.e., in the case where the MFP 10 does not currently belong to anetwork), in S83 the information indicating setting change isunnecessary that includes the MAC address of the MFP 10 is sent to themobile device 50. On the other hand, in the case of YES in S4 and NO inS6 (that is, although the MFP 10 currently belongs to a network, the MFP10 and the mobile device 50 do not currently belong to the samenetwork), in S83 the information indicating setting change isunnecessary that includes the IP address of the MFP 10 is sent to themobile device 50. Next, in S84, the communication executing unit 44proceeds to S20 by belonging to the network to which the mobile device50 belongs by using the wireless setting included in the NFCinformation.

On the other hand, in the case where it is determined that the wirelesssetting is not included in the NFC information (NO in S82), the processproceeds to S8.

(Advantages of Present Embodiment)

The MFP 10 of the second embodiment can achieve the same advantages asthe MFP 10 of the first embodiment in the first to fifth situations. Theadvantages of the present embodiment in a sixth situation will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 9. Moreover, processes corresponding tothe communication process of FIG. 8 are shown in FIG. 9.

(Sixth Situation)

In the sixth situation shown in FIG. 9, the MFP 10 does not currentlybelong to a network. On the other hand, the mobile device 50 currentlybelongs to a normal Wi-Fi network to which the AP 6 belongs.

In this situation, upon receiving NFC information from the mobile device50 via the NFC I/F 22, the MFP 10 determines that the MFP 10 does notcurrently belong to a network (NO in S4). Next, in S82 the MFP 10determines that the wireless setting for belonging to the network towhich the mobile device 50 currently belongs is included in the NFCinformation (YES in S82).

Next, in S83 the MFP 10 sends the information indicating setting changeis unnecessary to the mobile device 50 by using the NFC I/F 22.Moreover, in the case of NO in S4 (i.e., the case where the MFP 10 doesnot currently belong to a network), the MFP 10 sends informationindicating setting change is unnecessary including the MAC address ofthe MFP 10 to the mobile device 50. Further, in the case of NO in S6(i.e., the case where the MFP 10 currently belongs to a network, but theMFP 10 and the mobile device 50 do not belong to the same network), theMFP 10 sends information indicating setting change is unnecessaryincluding the IP address of the MFP 10 to the mobile device 50.

The MFP 10 establishes a normal Wi-Fi connection with the AP 6 by usingthe wireless setting included in the NFC information (S84). In the casewhere the IP address of the MFP 10 is included in the informationindicating setting change is unnecessary, the mobile device 50 specifiesthat IP address in the destination, and sends print data to the MFP 10via the AP 6 (S20). Further, in the case where the MAC address of theMFP 10 is included in the information indicating setting change isunnecessary, the mobile device 50 identifies the IP address of the MFP10 in accordance with RARP (abbreviation of: Reverse Address ResolutionProtocol), specifies the identified IP address in the destination, andsends print data to the MFP 10 via the AP 6 (S20).

According to this configuration, in the case where the MFP 10 and themobile device 50 do not belong to the same network, the MFP 10 canappropriately execute the communication of print data with the mobiledevice 50 via the network to which the mobile device 50 currentlybelongs.

(Corresponding Relationships)

The network to which the mobile device 50 belongs is an example of the“second target network”. The case of YES in S4 of FIG. 8 is an exampleof the “first case”, the case of NO in S4 of FIG. 8 is an example of the“second case”, and the case of NO in S4 of FIG. 8 and YES in S82 is anexample of the “specific case”.

Third Embodiment

Points differing from the first embodiment will be described. In thepresent embodiment, a communication process of FIG. 10 is executedinstead of the communication process of FIG. 2. S2 to S12, S15 to S24 ofFIG. 10 are the same as the processes S2 to S12, S15 to S24 of FIG. 2.In the case of NO in S8, i.e., in the case where the MFP 10 is not setto the WFD=ON mode, in S76 the determining unit 42 determines whetherthe MFP 10 currently belongs to the normal Wi-Fi network. In the casewhere information indicating that the MFP 10 currently belongs to thenormal Wi-Fi network is being stored in the work area 38, thedetermining unit 42 determines that the MFP 10 currently belongs to thenormal Wi-Fi network (YES in S76), and the process proceeds to S80. Onthe other hand, in the case where information indicating that the MFP 10currently belongs to the normal Wi-Fi network is not being stored in thework area 38, the determining unit 42 determines that the MFP 10 doesnot currently belong to the normal Wi-Fi network (NO in S76), and theprocess proceeds to S9.

In the case of YES in S12, i.e., in the case where the MFP 10 currentlybelongs to a WFD network and is operating in the G/O state in the WFDnetwork, the process proceeds to S13. In S16, the communicationexecuting unit 44 sends the wireless setting of the MFP 10 stored in thework area 38 to the mobile device 50 via the NFC I/F 22, and the processproceeds to S18. The wireless setting of the MFP 10 sent in S16 includesthe password.

Further, in the case where NO is determined in S12, i.e., in the casewhere the MFP 10 is operating in the device state, the determining unit42 executes the process S78. The process S78 is the same as the processS76. In the case of NO in S78, the process proceeds to S15, and in thecase of YES in S78, the process proceeds to S80.

In S80, the communication executing unit 44 sends the wireless settingnot including the password, for belonging to the normal Wi-Fi networkthat is being stored in the work area 38, i.e., the wireless setting ofthe AP (e.g., the AP 6) to the mobile device 50 via the NFC I/F 22, andthe process proceeds to S20. Upon receiving the AP wireless setting, themobile device 50 causes the user to specify the password. When thepassword is specified, the mobile device 50 establishes a connectionwith the AP by using the wireless setting received from the MFP 10 andthe password specified by the user. Thereby, the mobile device 50becomes capable of wireless communication with the MFP 10 via the AP.Moreover, in the case where a connection cannot be established betweenthe mobile device 50 and the AP, the MFP 10 cannot execute wirelesscommunication with the mobile device 50. In this case, the control unit30 returns to S2 without executing the processes S20 to S24.

(Advantages of Present Embodiment)

The MFP 10 of the third embodiment can achieve the same advantages asthe MFP 10 of the first embodiment in the first to fifth situations. Theadvantages of the present embodiment in a seventh situation will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 11. Moreover, processes correspondingto the communication process of FIG. 10 are shown in each of FIG. 11.

(Seventh Situation)

In the seventh situation shown in FIG. 11, the MFP 10 currently belongsto a normal Wi-Fi network. The MFP 10 is connected with the AP 6 in thenormal Wi-Fi network. The mobile device 50 is in the same state as inthe second situation.

In this situation, upon receiving NFC information from the mobile device50 by using the NFC I/F 22, in S4 the MFP 10 determines that the MFP 10currently belongs to a network (that is, the normal Wi-Fi network) (YESin S4). Next, the MFP 10 determines that the mobile device 50 does notcurrently belong to the normal Wi-Fi network to which the MFP 10currently belongs (NO in S6). In S76, the MFP 10 determines that itcurrently belongs to the normal Wi-Fi network (YES in S76). In thiscase, in S80 the MFP 10 sends, to the mobile device 50, the IP addressof the MFP 10 and the wireless setting of the AP 6 not including thepassword, which is stored in the work area 38. According to thisconfiguration, the password does not need to be provided to the mobiledevice 50 and the user. Consequently, in the case where the mobiledevice 50 and the user do not know the password for belonging to thenormal Wi-Fi network in which the AP 6 is used, it is possible toprevent the mobile device 50 from entering the normal Wi-Fi network.

When the wireless setting is received, the mobile device 50 receives thewireless setting and causes the user to specify the password. Next, whenthe password is specified by the user, the mobile device 50 establishesa normal Wi-Fi connection with the AP 6. Thereby, the mobile device 50can belong to the normal Wi-Fi network to which the MFP 10 currentlybelongs. The mobile device 50 can send the print data to the MFP 10 viathe AP 6. Upon belonging to the normal Wi-Fi network, the mobile device50 executes the wireless communication via the AP 6 by using thewireless setting stored in the work area 58 and the IP address of theMFP 10 received in S80, thereby sending the print data to the MFP 10.

Moreover, although not shown, in the case where the MFP 10 is currentlyoperating in the device state (YES in S8, NO in S10 and S12) and the MFP10 belongs to the normal Wi-Fi network (YES in S78), as well, the MFP 10sends, to the mobile device 50, the AP wireless setting not includingthe password, that is being stored in the work area 38.

According to this configuration, in the case where the MFP 10 does notbelong to the same network as the mobile device 50, the MFP 10 canappropriately execute the communication of the print data with themobile device 50 via the normal Wi-Fi network to which the MFP 10currently belongs.

(Corresponding Relationships)

The network to which the MFP 10 belongs upon the determination of YES inS4 of FIG. 10 is an example of the “first target network”. The case ofYES in S4 of FIG. 10 is an example of the “first case”, and the case ofNO in S4 of FIG. 10 is an example of the “second case”.

(Modifications)

(1) In the first to third embodiments, upon receiving NFC information(YES in S2), the MFP 10 determines whether it currently belongs to anetwork (S4) and, in the case of determining that it belongs to anetwork (YES in S4), determines whether the MFP 10 and the mobile device50 currently belong to the same network (S6). However, process S6 may beomitted. That is, in the first and third embodiments, upon receiving NFCinformation (YES in S2), the MFP 10 determines whether it currentlybelongs to a network (S4) and, in the case of determining that itbelongs to a network (YES in S4), may proceed to the processes from S8onwards. Further, in the second embodiment, in the case where the MFP 10determines that it currently belongs to a network (YES in S4), it mayproceed to the processes from S82 onwards.

(2) The “communication device” is not restricted to the multi-functionperipheral, but may be another apparatus comprising the first type ofinterface and the second type of interface (e.g., printer, FAX device,copier, scanner, etc.).

(3) The MFP 10 may store an AP program for functioning as an accesspoint. Upon activation of the AP program, the control unit 30 may storea predetermined wireless setting in the work area 38. In the case wherethe AP program is activated, in S4 of FIG. 2 the determining unit 42 maydetermine that the MFP 10 is currently participating in a network (anon-WFD network). In the present modification, the normal Wi-Fi networkthat is constructed in the state where the MFP 10 is functioning as anaccess point is an example of the “first target network”.

(4) Further, for example, in S15 of FIG. 2 the communication executingunit 44 may activate the AP program instead of setting the MFP 10 tospontaneous G/O mode. Next, the communication executing unit 44 may sendthe wireless setting that is being stored in the work area 38 to themobile device 50. Thereupon, the communication executing unit 44 and themobile device 50 may establish a connection by using the wirelesssetting pre-stored in the work area 38. In this case, the MFP 10 mayestablish a normal Wi-Fi connection with the mobile device 50 and,further, the MFP 10 may construct a normal Wi-Fi network. In the presentmodification, the normal Wi-Fi network that is constructed in the statewhere the MFP 10 is functioning as an access point is an example of the“second target network”.

(5) The combination of the “first type of interface” and the “secondtype of interface” is not restricted to the combination of the NFC I/Fand the wireless LAN I/F. For example, in the case where the wirelessLAN I/F is adopted as the “second type of interface”, the “first type ofinterface” may be an interface for executing infrared communication, aninterface for executing Bluetooth (registered trademark), or aninterface for executing Transfer Jet. Further, in the case where the NFCI/F is adopted as the “first type of interface”, the “second type ofinterface” may be an interface for executing wired communication, or aninterface for executing Bluetooth (registered trademark). In generalterms, the combination of the interfaces may be any combination wherebythe communication speed of communication via the second type ofinterface is faster than the communication speed of communication viathe first type of interface.

(6) The “first type of interface” and the “second type of interface” mayphysically be two interfaces (i.e., two separate IC chips), as in theabove embodiments, or may physically be one interface (i.e., two typesof communication are realized with one IC chip).

(7) In the above embodiments, the interface for executing wirelesscommunication according to the WFD system and the interface forexecuting wireless communication according to normal Wi-Fi wasphysically one interface (the wireless LAN I/F 20). However, it mayphysically be a plurality of interfaces (i.e., two separate IC chips).In the present modification, the plurality of interfaces is an exampleof the “second type of interface”.

(8) In the above embodiments, in S15 the communication executing unit 44sets the MFP 10 to spontaneous G/O mode. However, in the case where themobile device 50 is capable of executing wireless communicationaccording to WFD, the communication executing unit 44 may send the WFDconnection start information indicating the start of the WFD connectionto the mobile device 50 via the NFC interface 22. A WPS (abbreviationof: Wi-Fi Protected Setup) wireless connection system may be adopted asthe system for executing WFD wireless connection. WPS wirelessconnection systems include a PBC (abbreviation of: Push ButtonConfiguration) system and a PIN (abbreviation of: PersonalIdentification Number) code system. In the present modification, the PBCcode system will be described. However, the technique of the presentmodification can also be applied to the PIN code system. The WFDconnection start information may include information indicating that thePBC code system is used as the system for executing the WFD systemwireless connection. The WFD connection start information may furtherinclude the device ID of the MFP 10 (e.g., MAC address, serial number,etc.).

Upon receiving the WFD connection start information, the mobile device50 may determine whether the setting of the wireless LAN I/F of themobile device 50 is a setting capable of executing wirelesscommunication according to the WFD system. In the case where the settingof the wireless LAN I/F is a setting capable of executing wirelesscommunication according to the WFD system, the mobile device 50maintains the wireless LAN I/F setting, and in the case where thesetting of the wireless LAN I/F is not a setting capable of executingwireless communication according to the WFD system, the mobile device 50may change the setting of the wireless LAN I/F to a setting capable ofexecuting wireless communication according to the WFD system.

Next, the communication executing unit 44 may search for the mobiledevice 50. Specifically, the communication executing unit 44 maysequentially execute Scan process, a Listen process, and a Searchprocess. The Scan process is a process for searching for a G/O stateapparatus present in the surroundings of the MFP 10. Specifically, inthe Scan process, the communication executing unit 44 wirelessly sends aProbe Request signal, sequentially, by using 13 channels 1ch to 13chsequentially. Moreover, this Probe Request signal may include P2P (Peer2 Peer) information indicating that the MFP 10 is capable of executingthe WFD function.

For example, in the case where a G/O state WFD-compatible apparatus(called “specific G/O apparatus” below) is present in the surroundingsof the MFP 10, it may be predetermined that the specific G/O apparatususes one channel from among lch to 13ch. Consequently, the specific G/Oapparatus may wirelessly receive a Probe Request signal from the MFP 10.In this case, the specific G/O apparatus may wirelessly send a ProbeResponse signal to the MFP 10. This Probe Response signal may includeP2P information indicating that the specific G/O apparatus is capable ofexecuting the WFD function, and information indicating that the specificG/O apparatus is in the G/O state. Consequently, the communicationexecuting unit 44 can find the specific G/O apparatus. Moreover, theProbe Response signal may further include information indicating adevice name of the specific G/O apparatus and a category (e.g., mobiledevice, PC, etc.) of the specific G/O apparatus, and a MAC address ofthe specific G/O apparatus. Consequently, the communication executingunit 44 can acquire information relating to the specific G/O apparatus.

In the case where the device ID (e.g., MAC address, serial number, etc.)of the specific G/O apparatus included in the Probe Response signal andthe device ID of the mobile device 50 included in the NFC informationare identical, the communication executing unit 44 can identify that thespecific G/O apparatus is the mobile device 50. That is, in the casewhere the mobile device 50 currently belongs to a WFD network and themobile device 50 is operating in the G/O state in the WFD network, thecommunication executing unit 44 can find the mobile device 50 by meansof the Scan process.

Moreover, for example, in the case where a device state WFD-compatibleapparatus (called “specific device apparatus” below) is present in thesurroundings of the MFP 10, it may be predetermined that the specificdevice apparatus uses one channel from among lch, 6ch, 11ch.Consequently, the specific device apparatus may also wirelessly receivea Probe Request signal from the MFP 10. In this case, the specificdevice apparatus may wirelessly send a Probe Response signal to the MFP10. However, this Probe Response signal may include informationindicating that the specific device apparatus is in the device state,and may not include information indicating that the specific deviceapparatus is in the G/O state. Further, even if an apparatus that is inthe client state wirelessly receives a Probe Request signal from the MFP10, the client state apparatus need not wirelessly send a Probe Responsesignal to the MFP 10. Consequently, in the Scan process, thecommunication executing unit 44 can find the mobile device 50 in thecase the mobile device 50 is in the G/O state or in the case the mobiledevice 50 is in the device state.

The Listen process is a process for responding to the Probe Requestsignal. The specific device apparatus can wirelessly send a ProbeRequest signal during the Search process (to be described). That is, inthe case where the current state of the mobile device 50 is the devicestate, the mobile device 50 may periodically send a Probe Request signalwirelessly. This Probe Request signal may include the device ID of themobile device 50 (e.g., MAC address, serial number, etc.).

In the case where the device ID of the specific device apparatusincluded in the Probe Request signal and the device ID of the mobiledevice 50 included in the NFC information are identical, thecommunication executing unit 44 can identify that the specific deviceapparatus is the mobile device 50. That is, in the case where the mobiledevice 50 is operating in the device state, the communication executingunit 44 can find the mobile device 50 by means of the Listen process.Upon receiving the Probe Request signal from the mobile device 50, thecommunication executing unit 44 may wirelessly send a Probe Responsesignal.

In the Search process, the communication executing unit 44 maysequentially use the three channels 1ch, 6ch, 11ch to sequentially senda Probe Request signal wirelessly. Thereby, the communication executingunit 44 may wirelessly receive a Probe Response signal from the specificdevice apparatus. This Probe Response signal may include the P2Pinformation indicating that the specific device apparatus is capable ofexecuting the WFD function, information indicating that the specificdevice apparatus is in the device state, and the device ID of thespecific device apparatus (e.g., MAC address, serial number, etc.). Inthe case where the current state of the mobile device 50 is the devicestate, the mobile device 50 may wirelessly send a Probe Response signalin response to the Probe Request signal sent from the MFP 10.

In the case where the device ID of the specific device apparatusincluded in the Probe Response signal and the device ID of the mobiledevice 50 included in the NFC information are identical, thecommunication executing unit 44 can identify that the specific deviceapparatus is the mobile device 50. That is, in the case where the mobiledevice 50 currently belongs to a WFD network and is operating in thedevice state in the WFD network, the communication executing unit 44 canfind the mobile device 50 by means of the Search process.

In the case where the mobile device 50 is found, the MFP 10 executes G/Onegotiation with the mobile device 50 by using the wireless LAN I/F 20,and may determine that one apparatus, from among the MFP 10 and themobile device 50, is to operate in the G/O state and the other apparatusis to operate in the client state.

Next, the communication executing unit 44 may establish a connectionaccording to WPS between the MFP 10 and the mobile device 50.Specifically, in the case where the current state of the MFP 10 is theG/O state and the current state of the mobile device 50 is the clientstate (the case of YES in S22), the communication executing unit 44 maycreate a wireless setting (SSID, authentication method, encryptionmethod, password, etc.) needed to establish the wireless connection, andwirelessly send it to the mobile device 50. Moreover, the authenticationmethod and encryption method may be predetermined. Further, thecommunication executing unit 44 may create a password at the time ofcreating the wireless setting. Moreover, the SSID may be created by thecommunication executing unit 44, or may be predetermined. Sending thewireless setting to the mobile device 50 allows the MFP 10 and themobile device 50 to use the same wireless setting. That is, by using thewireless setting, the MFP 10 and the mobile device 50 may execute thewireless communication of an Authentication Request, AuthenticationResponse, Association Request, Association Response, and 4way handshake.The MFP 10 and the mobile device 50 may execute various authenticationprocesses such as authentication of SSID, authentication ofauthentication method and encryption method, authentication of password,etc. during this process. In case all the authentications succeeded, awireless connection may be established between the MFP 10 and the mobiledevice 50. Thereby, a state may be achieved where the MFP 10 and themobile device 50 belong to the same WFD network.

On the other hand, in the case where the current state of the MFP 10 isthe client state and the current state of the target apparatus is theG/O state, the communication executing unit 44 may execute WPSnegotiation for the client state. Specifically, the mobile device 50 maycreate a wireless setting (SSID, authentication method, encryptionmethod, password, etc.) needed to establish the wireless connection, andwirelessly send it to the MFP 10. Consequently, the communicationexecuting unit 44 may wirelessly receive the wireless setting from themobile device 50. The subsequent processes (the communication processesof the Authentication Request, etc.) are the same as in the WPSnegotiation for the G/O state. Thereby, a state may be achieved wherethe MFP 10 and the mobile device 50 belong to the same WFD network.Consequently, it becomes possible to execute the wireless communicationof object data (print data, etc.) between the MFP 10 that is in theclient state and the mobile device 50 that is in the G/O state. In thepresent modification, the G/O negotiation and the WPS negotiation are anexample of the “specific process”.

(8) In the above embodiments, the units 40 to 46 are realized bysoftware. However, one or more of the units 40 to 46 may be realized byhardware such as a logic circuit, etc.

1. A communication device comprising: a first type of interfaceconfigured to execute a wireless communication with a mobile device; asecond type of interface configured to execute a wireless communicationwith the mobile device; a processor; and a memory that storescomputer-readable instructions therein, the computer-readableinstructions, when executed by the processor, causing the communicationdevice to: execute a wireless communication of object data with themobile device via a first target network using the second type ofinterface after sending information for communicating with the mobiledevice via the first target network, to the mobile device using thefirst type of interface in a first case where the communication deviceis in a first mode in which the wireless communication using the firsttarget network can be executed; and execute a wireless communication ofobject data with the mobile device via a second target network in whichthe communication device operates as an access point, using the secondtype of interface after sending a wireless setting for causing themobile device to belong to the second target network, to the mobiledevice using the first type of interface in a second case where thecommunication device is in a second mode in which the wirelesscommunication using the second target network can be executed.
 2. Thecommunication device as in claim 1, wherein the first target network isa Wi-Fi network.
 3. The communication device as in claim 1, wherein theinformation for communicating with the mobile device via the firsttarget network comprises an IP address of the communication device. 4.The communication device as in claim 1, wherein the wireless settingcomprises a Service Set Identifier.
 5. The communication device as inclaim 1, wherein the first mode is a mode in which a wirelesscommunication according to a specific system can be executed.
 6. Thecommunication device as in claim 5, wherein the specific system is aWi-Fi system.
 7. The communication device as in claim 1, wherein thefirst type of interface is an interface configured to execute a wirelesscommunication according to Near Field Communication.
 8. Thecommunication device as in claim 1, further comprising: a printerconfigured to execute a print process using the object data.
 9. Thecommunication device as in claim 1, further comprising: a scannerconfigured to scan a document and create the object data.
 10. Anon-transitory computer-readable storage medium storingcomputer-readable instructions for a communication device comprising afirst type of interface configured to execute a wireless communicationwith a mobile device and a second type of interface configured toexecute a wireless communication with the mobile device, thecomputer-readable instructions, when executed by a processor mounted onthe communication device, causing the communication device to: execute awireless communication of object data with the mobile device via a firsttarget network using the second type of interface after sendinginformation for communicating with the mobile device via the firsttarget network, to the mobile device using the first type of interfacein a first case where the communication device is in a first mode inwhich the wireless communication using the first target network can beexecuted; and execute a wireless communication of object data with themobile device via a second target network in which the communicationdevice operates as an access point, using the second type of interfaceafter sending a wireless setting for causing the mobile device to belongto the second target network, to the mobile device using the first typeof interface in a second case where the communication device is in asecond mode in which the wireless communication using the second targetnetwork can be executed.
 11. A method of executing a wirelesscommunication by a communication device comprising a first type ofinterface configured to execute the wireless communication with a mobiledevice and a second type of interface configured to execute the wirelesscommunication with the mobile device, the method comprising: executing awireless communication of object data with the mobile device via a firsttarget network using the second type of interface after sendinginformation for communicating with the mobile device via the firsttarget network, to the mobile device using the first type of interfacein a first case where the communication device is in a first mode inwhich the wireless communication using the first target network can beexecuted; and execute a wireless communication of object data with themobile device via a second target network in which the communicationdevice operates as an access point, using the second type of interfaceafter sending a wireless setting for causing the mobile device to belongto the second target network, to the mobile device using the first typeof interface in a second case where the communication device is in asecond mode in which the wireless communication using the second targetnetwork can be executed.